Practical recommendation for treatment of patients with colon cancer during covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Restrictions on the cancer care in an epidemic are observed in the most countries of the world. The first small publications gave information of the increased susceptibility of cancer patients to a new infection which led to the postpone of elective surgery, initiation of adjuvant therapy, and the transfer of specialist consultations to telemedicine. The cases of infections of medical personnel, as well as the reassignment of clinical units and clinics that previously assisted cancer patients to the treatment of patients with COVID-19, also contributed. This article presents the experience of treating viral infections in cancer patients from different countries. On the example of colon cancer, treatment approaches are considered that, in conditions of increased epidemic danger, will allow our patients to provide effective antitumor treatment. We recommend to use short course of radiotherapy with chemotherapy in patients with locally-advanced rectal tumors; short course of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage 3 colon cancer; rational decisions for choosing regimen in 1st and subsequent lines of systemic therapy in patients with metastatic disease.